Andre Johnson Signing Gives Indianapolis Colts, Andrew Luck A New Weapon

Andre Johnson has signed a three-year contract with the Indianapolis Colts that could get the team on track to make it back to the Super Bowl. Adding the talent of Andre Johnson to the list of weapons that quarterback Andrew Luck already has suddenly makes the team a favorite in the AFC. Several teams were bidding on his services for the 2015 NFL season and that included the Seattle Seahawks. In the end, though, the Colts offered him a package he couldn’t turn down.

As reported by ESPN.com, Johnson is slated to make $21 million over the duration of his new deal. This move comes after the Houston Texans decided to release the veteran receiver after 12 seasons with the team. There had been rumors that the team would pursue a trade, but Johnson wanted to have the freedom to choose his new team. Johnson shared his opinions on what took place.

“It bothered me a little bit because you have people who tell you they want you be a Texan for life and at the end of year, they let you go.”

Andre Johnson now joins a Colts depth chart that includes T.Y. Hilton and Donte Moncrief as the other key receivers. The team opted not to re-sign Reggie Wayne for another season and instead let him walk away in free agency. That opened a roster spot that Johnson was quite pleased to take. Johnson even told ESPN as much when he was confirming his new home team.

“I felt like this was the best place where I can win a championship and help win a championship. That’s what it’s all about. That’s why we play the game.”

It’s high praise for the Indianapolis Colts, but this is also a team that was just one game from making it to the 2015 Super Bowl. A 45-7 loss to the New England Patriots in the 2015 AFC Championship Game may have been very one-sided, but it also showed how close the franchise was to achieving its goals. With other key additions like running back Frank Gore and linebacker Cam Johnson, the team is re-tooling for another run.

The 85 catches and 936 receiving yards that Andre Johnson had during the 2014 NFL season will certainly excite Indianapolis Colts fans and fantasy football owners alike. Now he has the chance to put up even bigger numbers with a team that opts to pass first on almost every down.

[Image Credit: Scott Halleran/Getty Images]